WEST GARDINER, ME – Josephine (Weins) Stevens, West Gardiner’s oldest citizen went home to her heavenly Father on July 9, 2013. She was born in Queens, New York City on November 9, 1907, the daughter of Joseph and Antonia Weins.Brought up on Long Island N.Y. and moved to Rock City NY after her marriage. She was predeceased in 1985 by her husband of 55 years, Embert G. Stevens. They retired in their West Gardiner, ME home after operating Katahdin Lakes Wilderness Camps on Katahdin Lake, ME. Previous to operating the sporting camp, the family owned and operated a dairy farm in Rutland, MA and were managers of Cathedral Farm in Hubbardston MA a boys camp owned by St. Paul’s Cathedral in Boston.
She is survived by a son, Daniel E. Stevens, and his wife Audrey (Carter) of Barre, MA; four daughters; Juanita S. Longwell of West Gardiner ME. and Charlton, MA, Tonia (Cormier) wife of Lawrence (Tarz) Laliberte, of Richmond, ME, Suzan E. wife of Alfred. Cooper III, of Millinocket ME and Ora (Fales) Cormier of Russell MA. Josephine was predeceased by two children; Joseph H. Stevens of Rutland, MA. and Josephine Bud Christianson, wife of the late Carl Christianson of Readfield, ME. She also leaves her sister, Ruth Cooney, of Spanish Forks, Utah and a loving niece, Rita, wife of Peter DiMatteo of Sloatsburg, New York. She was predeceased by three siblings; Catherine Bechlein, Joseph C. Weins and Frank Weins, who died in infancy. She will be greatly missed by the 29 grandchildren, 58 great-grandchildren and 29 great, great grandchildren that comprise her “Little Nation” as she fondly called her 123 direct descendents. Josephine led a full and active life, walking every day, until January when she fell and broke her hip. This necessitated her move to Glenridge Rehabilitation and Nursing facility in Augusta, where at 105 years of age, she learned to walk again.
We wish to sincerely thank all the staff at Glenridge for their loving, tender, care, and a place for many family members to gather and to support her passing. This was sincerely appreciated.
Family and friends are invited to visit on Friday, July 12th from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home. A celebration of life will follow at the funeral home at 1:00 p.m. A graveside service will be held on Saturday, July 13th at 2:00 p.m. at the West Rutland Cemetery, Rutland, MA.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the First Baptist Church, 658 Hallowell-Litchfield Road, West Gardiner, ME 04345. Arrangements are under the care of Kincer Funeral Home, 130 Pleasant Street, Richmond, ME 04357.
